Devin Velez makes it into ‘American Idol’ Top 10

It might be a while before Devin Velez is back in Chicago making tall soy no-whip mocha lattes at Starbucks. The Portage Park barista and Rickover Naval Academy senior became an “American Idol” finalist Thursday, getting enough viewer votes to join the ranks of the Top 10 and secure a spot on Idol’s summer tour.

It might be a while before Devin Velez is back in Chicago making tall soy no-whip mocha lattes at Starbucks.

The Portage Park barista and Rickover Naval Academy senior became an “American Idol” finalist Thursday, getting enough viewer votes to join the ranks of the Top 10 and secure a spot on Idol’s summer tour.

Velez’s mother, Sandra Liz Lam, was in the audience of the Las Vegas theater when her son’s name was called. “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest invited Lam on stage, where she wrapped her oldest child in a huge hug.

Judge Nicki Minaj, who called Velez a Spanish Ken doll during Wednesday’s live show, urged the young crooner to continue singing in Spanish and English like he did with his most recent performance of the classic “Somos Novios,” recorded in English by Perry Como (“It’s Impossible”). Check it out here: